And breathe. Arsenal are into the Champions League semi-finals for a consecutive season. It's the first time in their history they have made it to this stage of the competition in back to back years.
Yet, despite that, things feel numb. While supporters were undoubtedly happy to make it through, there was still a huge wave of anxiety inside the Emirates Stadium come full-time.
Gyokeres-Dowman-Mosquera
Why? Well, as it happens, Kai Havertz's late goal in the first leg last week proved to be the only goal across the entire tie. The Gunners drew 0-0 with Sporting CP in the second leg and it was another nervy and drab performance.
This has been a testing time for Mikel Arteta's men and indeed it continues to be despite their semi-final berth. Arsenal have lost the Carabao Cup final, been knocked out of the FA Cup and surrendered their nine point league at the top of the Premier League last weekend.
However, despite all of that, they are still in the last four of Europe; that has to be commended. Irrespective of that accomplishment, they will need to improve significantly against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Tactical tweaks pay dividends for Arsenal
While a frantic 4-3 was taking place in Germany, Bayern Munich knocking out Real Madrid in thrilling fashion, the match in London was a rather more tame affair.
Truth be told, there were not many highlights. As in the first leg, Arsenal's defence was resolute. It was yet another important clean sheet for David Raya and two changes to the backline certainly helped.
Piero Hincapie was back at left-back while Cristian Mosquera replaced the out of form Ben White. Mosquera, in particular, certainly calmed things down on the right side of the defence.
Mosquera-Arsenal-Arteta
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi overcame his bout of poor form. It was not a vintage display from the Spaniard but it was improved. He took home the official man of the match award.
Pivotally, Arteta made a change to the midfield structure. The Spaniard has struggled in recent weeks and has been criticised for his inability to progress the play and evade the press but he was given more license to roam on Wednesday night. On this occasion, Declan Rice was fielded as the holding midfielder and Zubimendi as the left-sided 8.
That was certainly a positive, as was the defensive display. Sadly, Arsenal's biggest problem did not go away against Sporting. They are still finding it difficult to create chances and score goals.
Across their last five matches they have only scored three times and after registering an shambolic xG of 0.18 from open play at the weekend, it did not get much better on Wednesday night.
Eberechi Eze may have been back in the side but he was given very little help by those in the final third.
Arsenal's attack struggle again vs Sporting
Last season this Arsenal side struggled without Bukayo Saka. The Englishman may not be having the best campaign of his senior career but they are still craving his return.
He has not played since the Carabao Cup final and they are sorely missing his dynamism on the right flank. Noni Madueke, in particular, has had a rough couple of games. He was dragged off before the hour mark against Bournemouth last weekend and was substituted early again this time around, albeit due to injury.
Madueke-Arsenal-Sporting
That said, during his time on the field, the wide player did not do much right. He failed to find the target with any of this three crosses and gave the ball away a disastrous 17 times. In that aspect of the game, Arsenal were desperately poor. Viktor Gyokeres was one of the worst culprits.
The striker has flitted in and out of it this season. The summer arrival is the club's top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions but has been starved of service at times. This was another of those nights but the Swede did not help himself either.
Gyokeres-Arsenal-Arteta
Before being subbed off for Kai Havertz after 56 minutes, he completed just five passes at a dismal success rate of 56%. He gave away the ball six times from his 15 touches.
On that evidence, it was hardly a surprise to see him dragged off but yet, he was still not the worst of the forward line. Gyokeres did not have a single shot on Wednesday evening but that is hardly a surprise when you consider the performance of Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting
David Raya - 6/10
Cristian Mosquera - 6/10
William Saliba - 7/10
Gabriel Magalhaes - 6/10
Piero Hincapie - 6/10
Declan Rice - 6/10
Martin Zubimendi - 6/10
Eberechi Eze - 7/10
Noni Madueke - 4/10
Gabriel Martinelli - 4/10
Viktor Gyokeres - 5/10
Arsenal's biggest issue this term has been a lack of creativity and a lack of technical security. At the centre of that has been the two wingers.
The Champions League has been the Brazilian's go-to competition this season. He's arguably been their best player in this tournament with six goals in 11 games but he was far off those levels this week.
Martinelli-Arsenal-Sporting
Like Madueke and Gyokeres, Martinelli was subbed off, although he did make it to the 79th minute. Truth be told, he should have been hooked earlier.
He was regularly caught running down blind alleys and an issue that was systematic of everyone in Arteta's frontline, he kept giving the ball away. The Brazil international ceded possession of the ball on 12 occasions from his 32 touches but what was most alarming was the inability to provide for his teammates.
Martinelli vs Sporting
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Shots
Shots on target
Key passes
Successful crosses
Successful dribbles
Possession lost
Duels won
Martinelli has been missing a spark for a number of years now. He has certainly not been the same player that scored 15 goals back in 2022/23 and that was evident in midweek. He left the field after having no shots on target and creating just one goalscoring opportunity.
Furthermore, he failed with all three of his dribble attempts and lost six of his seven duels. Was it really any surprise that Gyokeres was also so poor?
The big striker was not at the races himself but the service and quality of the players around him is seriously underwhelming.
Martinelli-Gyokeres-Arsenal-Mosquera
If Arsenal play like this on Sunday, they will be steamrolled and their lead at the top of the Premier League will be cut to three points. Changes need to be made to the forward line and that involves fielding a front three of Leandro Trossard, Max Dowman and Kai Havertz, the attacking line up that ended the game against Sporting.
Trossard-Arsenal Related
Big Trossard upgrade: £61m England star wants to sign for Arsenal this summer
Arsenal are in need of an upgrade on the flanks with Leandro Trossard underperforming.